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Across the city of Toronto, we prepare for International Women's Day - a time of year that sparks celebration, awareness, and strength around the world. What do you have planned this year?

To kick off the week, here is some background information about International Women's Day, this year's theme, and some tips for what to do to celebrate!

What is International Women’s Day?

International Women’s Day (March 8) is a global day celebrating the social, economic, cultural and political achievements of women. The day also marks a call to action for accelerating gender parity. (https://www.internationalwomensday.com)

Origins of International Women’s Day

We can trace the beginnings of International Women’s Day back to labour movements in North America and Europe in the early twentieth century, with a growing force for women to take part as equals in society. The first International Women’s Day was observed on March 19, 1911 in Austria, Denmark, Germany and Switzerland. That day, more than one million women and men showed their support by participating in public events. In the years that followed, other countries began to observe and celebrate this day. The United Nations began celebrating IWD in 1975, later adopting March 8 as the official International Women’s Day.

This Year’s Theme: Feminism

Each year, IWD carries a different theme, and this year, the theme is Feminism. According to the Government of Canada, “Feminism is simply about equality – equality for women, men and people of all gender identities. Achieving gender equality means that everyone has the opportunity to reach their full potential.”(http://www.swc-cfc.gc.ca/commemoration/iwd-jif/theme-en.html).​This year’s theme, #MyFeminism, isinspired by the role feminism and celebrates the feminists, activists, advocates and allies to lead the way to global change.